This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

East Rutherford, N.J. • Sometimes, real life intrudes on the games we play. And sometimes, we need those games to get away from real life.

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy and the destruction it brought to the Northeast, everyone on the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants understood that.

"There are so many bigger things going on around here that what we do is not as important as real life," Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Sunday after throwing for two touchdowns in a 24-20 comeback victory.

The Giants (6-3) couldn't stop Isaac Redman, who had little relief with Pittsburgh's other two main backs injured, yet rushed for a career-best 147 yards and the winning 1-yard TD with 4:02 to go.

Overcoming unusual sloppiness, the Steelers (5-3) dominated the second half. They did so after they arrived in New Jersey hours before the game, which might have accounted for their carelessness. They had the fewest giveaways in the NFL entering the game, but were neglectful with the ball and in pass coverage; cornerback Keenan Lewis had 87 yards on two pass interference penalties. They wasted some great kick returns, too.

"Coming in the day of the game was tough and we had to deal with that adversity," Redman said. "But the Giants had to deal with adversity all week. We just had to come in here and be ready to play."

The Giants saw their four-game winning streak end.

"That's as disappointing a loss as we've had in a long time," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "Not to be overly reactionary or emotional, to play against a very good football team like that ... we wanted emotionally to win the game so badly for obvious reasons, for our neighbors who are struggling, who needed some type of inspiration and we didn't provide it." Steelers 24,Giants 20